Using the term 'pommy' to refer to the British is no longer acceptable and should be banned, the Ethnic Communities Council of WA has said.
ECCWA president Ramdas Sankaran said the recent battle for the word 'nigger' to be removed from a sporting plaque in Queensland by Indigenous activist Stephen Hagan was an example of how the word 'pommy' could be banned.
Mr Sankaran said the ban was a wake-up call for all Australians. He said the British should have the same right to be protected against what he believed was a racist term.
"Terminology such as 'pom' and 'pommy' is pejorative and racist even without offensive adjectives attached to them," Mr Sankaran said.
"They are no different to racial slurs used to describe other ethnic groups or indigenous people."
Although Mr Sankaran said the word shouldn't be made illegal for people to use lightly in front of friends or in their living rooms, he believed it had no place in Australian public discourse.
"Britons have the same right to protection against racial abuse and discrimination as any other group," he said.
Personally, I didn't ever find the term 'pom' or 'pommy' derogatory when I was in the UK, always thought it was similar to using 'Yanks' when referring to Americans, but since I've been here I've noticed that it can be used as a putdown or insult by those not so keen on having us Brits here and if the term is being used in an offensive way, then it is no longer good humoured and becomes racial discrimination.
That's just my opinion but I can see this turning into quite a heated debate!!
If we are to ban Pom/Pommie, then should we not also be banning Aussie and Kiwi?
Why do some people get so precious about these things? Nobody in Australia was ever offended by being called a Pom, Welshie, Paddy, Wog (as in Australian Italian) until someone suggested they should be. These are practically terms of endearment for an Aussie! Somebody knock this bloke off his box. Quickly.
The "its only racist if it is used in an offensive manner" argument crops up again and again. I can remember the term "pakki shop" being used (used it myself) in every day conversation yet for some reason the term is taboo yet pom is acceptable? Limey, honkey, cracker, white trash.. all accepted as non racist. Black History week, Great idea, but how about "white history week"??. Mobo awards. great but how about an award for Music of "White" origin>??
Before you jump on me, I am always the one to speak up when the rednecks at work give the Indian workers a hard time and I grew up with a Jamacan and a 3 African brothers in my gang.
It's funny really as up until 2 days ago i had only heard the word 'pommie' used by the 'older generation' of perth people i had met .... i must admit some of my australian friends also use it but in a 'cheeky' way towards me which i don't mind at all....BUT 2 days ago a complete stranger commented, in relation to where we were living..., about the amount of poms in the area... and although i laughed... i actually felt a little hurt.... don't know why, as she ment no harm from it... i must have been feeling touchy that day...lol
i agree though i think it definatley depends on the way the term is used which can make it a racial statement.
Well ive got no worries there, only this am someone at work asked me if i was a kiwi - doh - does an english accent really sound like a kiwi ??? !!!!
whats the difference in calling someone a aussie,pommie,kiwi,yank,pakki etc its all just slang for where we come from, well thats how i see, guess it could be taken as offensive is used with a nasty/negative tone & manner
__________________ ** Here There,Where Ever Be Happy**
My daughter has a Bristol/Australian mix of accent having been in Brisbane for 2 years, but everyone always asks are you Irish?
If any race people find what you are saying offensive then the easy answer is don't say it!
I had a brilliant bit of advice given to me once on a Diversity and Descrimination course at work. And it was, if you wouldnt say it to your children or elderly mother then don't say it to anyone!
Good advice I reckon!
__________________
C x House sold
Awaiting Visa 2 months and counting...............
Well Tim I found the second link very offensive! A pop up came up and told me there was a reason I had excess stomach fat! How rude! and how do they know I have excess stomach fat!
__________________
C x House sold
Awaiting Visa 2 months and counting...............
